FREEPORT

As the Greater Freeport

Community Chorus prepares to celebrate its 20- year anniversary with a performance at the Freeport Performing Arts Center, members are recalling the musical community they’ve built along the way.

The anniversary performance will be this Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Artistic Director Virgil Bozeman joined the chorus in 2006, saying he’s proud to have seen the chorus double in size in his decade with the group which now boasts of about 70 members.

“From the beginning, I could see this was a group founded by people who just wanted to be together and further feel the sense of community,” Bozeman said. “I always felt privileged to take over a group that has meant so much to people.”

Charter member Janet Theriault said she remembers the group starting out in 1996 and how “Greater Freeport” was more tongue in cheek. Over the years, Theriault said the chorus has attracted more than 300 singers from 25 or so communities from Scarborough to Farmingdale.

Original member Cathy Robie said she joined because of the many fond memories she has of performing when she was in school. The Sunday practices also serve as a “date night” for Robie and her husband, Fred, who sings bass in the chorus.

“So we get to be two 62- year-old seventh graders, flirting, blowing kisses and making silly faces at each other across the rehearsal stage, while (Bozeman) tries to maintain order, teach, conduct and guide the group toward performing a whole new program each season,” she said.

Love isn’t only in the air for Robie and her husband.

There are currently 10 couples in the group and there were many more over the two decades, according to member Sandy Banas, who sings in the chorus with her husband, Mike.

“Tenor and charter member Scott Miller met his wife at chorus rehearsals. He even proposed to her in front of the group during a rehearsal,” Banas said.

Most members allude to recapturing the fun they had singing in high school or college, but all agree it’s the fun, friendships and eclectic music program that keeps them coming back.

Banas said the group has been a home from singers from 18 to 83 over the years and remains a non-auditioning chorus. Banas said that many singers have come to them with little or no performing experience and quickly grow through the support of stronger singers.

“At the same time the GFCC has some well-trained musicians who enjoy our group and enjoy mentoring the new singers,” Banas said, emphasizing the community within the chorus.

Banas said the group performs numbers from Broadway, spirituals, classical, contemporary, doo-wop, oldies and others.

Occasionally, the chorus hires instrumentalists in addition to their accompanist. Banas said they also make recordings of each of their shows for members to enjoy.

“Many of us can be seen singing the lyrics to past shows as we commute to work or at home,” Banas said.

Original member Sherry Strauss said the different ages and levels of musical ability represented in the group make it truly a community chorus. Strauss said everything from rehearsing to performing and socializing with other members, as well as doing outreach in the community, contributes to lifelong learning and fun.

The group sings at Memorial Day and Martin Luther King Day activities in Freeport, as well as nursing and senior centers.

Banas said during one Christmas performance, an Alzheimer patient who had been unresponsive for years, began singing along to everyone’s amazement.

Banas said for their anniversary show, the chorus will be performing “Avinu Malkeinu” — a Jewish prayer founder and first director Suki Rice conducted in 1996.

“And, as we have done for 20 years, we invite people who want to sing to join us and become part of the fun and excitement,” Banas said.

Rehearsals are Sunday nights from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Freeport Performing Arts Center. Banas said fall startup dates and more information can be found on their Facebook page or at gfccsings.org.

• REHEARSALS ARE Sunday nights from 6:30-9 p.m. Fall startup dates and information can be found on the Greater Freeport Community Chorus Facebook page or at gfccsings.org.